Degreaser



J. F. BLACK May 4, 1943.

DEGREASER Filed NOV. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l N .NK

INVENTOR. //V E' l. A C/f fm l ATTOPNEYS May 4, 1943 J. F. BLACK 2,318,455

DEGREASER Filed Nov. 16, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jig. 4

3/ l l l /l i nl 3o J/ A INVENTOR. JO/f/Y 3446/1 BY YW TTOJPNE'YS F'atented May 4, 1943 DEGBEASER John F. Black, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Circo Products Company, Cleveland, Ohio Application November 16, 1940, Serial No. 365,955 Claims. (Cl. 5502-470) This invention relates broadly to degreasing apparatus and more specifically to certain improvements in the structural parts thereof; to

the organization of such parts within the apparatus and to mechanism for controlling the temperature of the grease solvent employed therein.

In degreasing apparatus heretofore constructed it has been the practice to build a sheet metal casing or cabinet for the retention of the solvent vapors generated during the operation of the machine; to galvanize such structure as a unit after assembly, and to provide within the casing instrumentalities to promote the condensation of the vapors and the recovery of the condensate thereof. Such construction was obviously costly of manufacture and has been found expensive of operation due to the rapid disintegration of the metal parts therein when exposed to atmospheric moisture and the corrosive gases present in the environs in which the machines were used.

This invention is a continuation in part of my copending application, iiled November 8, 1940, Serial No. 364,758 which matured into Patent No. 2,302,522, granted Nov. 17, 1942.

The present invention contemplates the use of the commercial drums or barrels within which the solvent is shipped, in substitution of the expensive casings heretofore employed, the object of the invention residing in the provision of apparatus to facilitate the use of such drums as vapor collecting and condensing chambers. The invention further contemplates the provision of a portable heating element designed for insertion within a drum and a pumping unit provided with couplings which may be readily connected with the upper and lower portions of the drum.

The invention also comprehends the provision of an automatic control switch coordinated with the electrical heating element to maintain the temperature of the solvent below the cracking point thereof; a second automatic switch adapted to maintain the solvent within the thermal range of vaporization; a third automatic control switch to maintain the temperature of the solvent below the vaporizatlon point thereof and a manually operable switch for controlling the ow of current to the second and third automatic switches.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for the delivery of a stream of solvent over the work so that the heavier deposits of grease may be flushed from the work with expedition and dispatch. 'I'o this end the apparatus comprises a p ump in fluid communication with the lower portion of the drum and a discharge line in the upper portion thereof, the drum being preferably provided with a. cover plate and coupled with a second drum so that the vapors released from the heated solvent may ow into the second unheated drum and be condensed therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pump having a plurality of separable conduit attachments which are adapted in conjunction with a portable heating element to accommodate the use of a commercial drum as a ushing chamber, a vaporizing chamber, and condenser, a storage tank or the use of a second drum in combination with the rst drum to facilitate the separate or combined functions of the first drum or the reversal of the operations performed therein.

Other objects and advantages more or less ancillary to the foregoing and the manner in which all the various objects are realized will appear in the following description, which considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, sets forth the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings wherein the preferredl `embodiment'. of the invention is illustrated:

Fig. l is a plan view of a pair of drums and the instrumentalities coordinated therewith for vaporizing and circulating the solvent;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through one of the drums illustrated in Fig. 1, the second drum being shown in elevation and having a portion thereof broken away to illustrate the by-pass connection;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the improved heating element embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the heating element and electrical circuit therefor;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a pair of drums and a modified form of the apparatus for handling the solvent and vapor;

Fig. 6 is a similar sectional view of the drums illustrating another modification of the solvent and vapor attachments; and

Fig. 'I is a view in section of a portion of one of the drums and the hook for supporting the conduit.

As shown in Fig. 2, the degreasing apparatus comprises a pair of drums A and B interconnected adjacent their upper ends by a detachable conduit I0 and coupled adjacent their base portions by a pipe Il having a valve I2 interposed therein. The drums are formed with openings or bungs i4 and i5 which are utilized in the present case to receive the pump inlet and discharge lines i6 and il respectively. The pipe I is coupled with a pump I8 of any conventional form preferably driven by an electric motor I9 and coordinated therewith to form a self contained unitary structure. The base for the pump is designed relative to the height of the opening il in the drum to accomodate the ready assembly of the inlet pipe therein.

As shown herein the drum B is utilized as a storage tank for the solvent distillate while the drum A is employed as a chamber within which the work may be cleaned by a flushing operation or by the well known vapor method. When the latter method is employed a small quantity of solvent is placed in the drum A, the portable heating unit 2| being suspended therein with the resistance coil thereof submerged in the solvent in spaced relation with the base of the drum.

The heating unit comprises a pair of electric cables 22 and 23 disposed in parallel relation and coupled with a resistance coil or heating element preferably arranged in parallel relation with the base of the drum A. The cables terminate in a frame 24 of arcuate form arranged to facilitate the suspension of the unit within the drum and serve also as a handle for the assembly. The drum A may, if desired, be provided with a lid or cover plate 25 having a notch 26 therein to accommodate the reception of the handle 24.

When the heating unit is in usethe drum may be provided with an insulating Jacket 2l having suitable openings therein to accommodate the conduit I0 and pipes Il, I6 and Il. The jacket comprises a sheet metal plate arranged to envelop the drum in spaced relation therewith and is provided with quick acting clamps along the free ends thereof to accommodate the ready assembly thereof.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the heating unit is provided with a pair of thermoelectric switches 2l and 25 disposed upon the heating element for submersion in the solvent during the operation oi' the device. The thermostatic switch 28 is designed to maintain the temperature of the solvent slightly below its vaporization point. The thermostat 25 constitutes the high limit switch and is designed to control the heating element so that the temperature of the solvent will not exoeed the cracking point thereof. A third thermoelectric switch l0 is secured upon the cables 22 and 23 slightly above the opening for the conduit Il so that the height of the vapor in the drum A will be restricted to the zone below the level of this opening. As shown in Fig. 4, the thermoelectric switch 30 is coupled with a, manually operated switch 3i arranged to break the circuit to the thermostat 28 when thrown in one position and to break the circuit to the switch 3l when adjusted in the opposite position. The ofllce of the switch Il is to facilitate a cut out for the thermostat 2l so that the solvent may be vaporized when the circuit to the thermostatic switch Il is closed.

In operation a small quantity of solvent is placed in the drum A, the pump inlet and discharge pipes I8 and I 1 having iirst been connected therewith. The work pieces are then suspended within the drum either individually or within a container such as a wire basket, the disposition of the work being aligned with or slightly below the discharge pipe I1. The switch 3| is then adjusted to operate the thermostat control 28 and the heating element. The pump is next operated to cascade the heated solvent over the work and thus ush the more copious deposits of grease and foreign matter therefrom. When the pump is in operation the cover plate 25 may be adjusted in place in order to conne the vapors rising from the agitated solvent within the drum.

After the flushing operation or when it is desired to remove the grease from the Work by the solvent vapor method in order to eliminate all traces of grease and oil, the switch 3| is adjusted to break the electric circuit leading to the thermostatic switch 28 and to close the circuit to the switch 30. When the heated vapor in the drum A reaches the level of the by-pass conduit l0 it will flow therethrough and into the unheated drum B Where it is condensed. Since the thermostatic switch 30 adjacent the opening to the conduit I0 is.designed for response to slight thermal variation, thetemperature of the heavier vapor and in turn the height thereof within the drum may be readily conilned to the portion of the chamber below the by-pass i0. The solvent in the drum A may be replenished from time to time from the solvent in the storage tank B by operation of the valve l2, the grease and foreign matter being entrapped in the bottom of the drum A.

In the vapor cleaning method the work is suspended within the zone of the vapor in the drum where the cleaning operation occurs, in the usual manner, by the action of the solvent vapor and the condensation thereof upon the work.

As described above, the cleaning operation is effected in one of the drums while the second drum is used merely as a reservoir. It will be un derstood, however, that a portable heating unit may be placed in the second drum in order to facilitate the simultaneous operation of the ilushing method in one drum and the 'vaporizing method in the other. It will also be understood that the reservoir, drum B, may be dispensed with entirely, the ushing and vaporizing operations being effected in a single chamber.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the drums or containers a and b which may be of any conventional form or material are 'arranged in spaced relation so that the pump conduit connections may be positioned for insertion within either of the drums. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the heating unit is suspended in the drum b with the resistance coil thereof submerged in the solvent. The pump intake conduit 50 in this embodiment is provided with a readily detachable coupling 5i adapted for attachment with a U-tube 52 supported upon the drum b by a hook 53 and extended downwardly below the level of the solvent in the drum. The pipe 52 is provided with a valve 52-a disposed within the vapor zone controlled by the thermoelectric switch 30, the valve being adapted to facilitate the admission of either the vapor or uidic solvent therethrough. The pump is further provided with a discharge pipe 54 having a readily detachable coupling 55 thereon adapted to receive a U-tube 56 supported on the drum b by a hook 53 and terminating intermediate the ends of the drum. In this combination as the pump is operated the heated solvent is drawn through the pump and sprayed over the work pieces suspended in front of or adjacent to the discharge opening in the conduit 56. As illustrated in dotted lines the conduit 5B is positioned within the drum a where the solvent pumped aaiatst 3 from the drum b may be sprayed over the work suspended in the drum a.

. It will be readily apparent that the work pieces may be subjected to a cleaning operation whether they are disposed in either drum a or b. If these pieces are suspended in drum b in front of or contiguous the discharge opening of conduit 56 the valve liza may be manually adjusted so that the solvent contained in the lower portion of drum b may be pumped through the conduits 55. 54 and 5B for spraying the work. Subsequent the spraying operation the switch 3l may be adjusted to operate thermostat 30 and the valve 52a may be positioned so that the vapor contained in drum b will be forced by the pump through conduits 50, 54 and 56 and over the work pieces. With the work pieces suspended in drum a in front of or contiguous the dotted line position of discharge conduit 56 the above operation may be employed for flushing the work with fluidic solvent and/or forcing a jet of vapor thereon.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the pump intake pipe 50 is coupled with a U-tube 51 suspended on a bar 58 arranged for support upon the upper edge of the drum b. The tube 51 is provided with a bell 59 disposed in proximity with the vapor zone l as controlled by the thermo electric switch 30.

In this embodiment the pump discharge pipe 54 is coupled with a U-tube 60 having the free end thereof within the drum a and supported thereon by a hook 53. The U-tube 60 is preferably provided with a coil 5I arranged to facilitate the circulation of a coolant therethrough. In this embodiment the work pieces to be cleaned are suspended below the bell 59, the solvent vapors generated by operation of the heating unit 2| being drawn through the pump and discharged as a condensate through the conduit 60. The conduit 60 may also be swung into position to effect the discharge of the condensate in the drum b or if desired the intake conduit 51 and heating unit 2| may be positioned within the drum a, the condensate being discharged in either of the drums or in another container disposed in some remote position.

From the foregoing it will be recognized that the flushing, vaporizing and condensate recovery operations may be conducted in either or both oi the drums or in such combinations as to afford the operator an opportunity to control the disposition of the solvent according to the condition thereof or operate the apparatus in the most convenient and expeditious manner.

It will also be recognized that substantial economies may be realized by a purchaser of the improved equipment since the drums or barrels furnished by the solvent manufacturer may be used as the operating and storage chambers in substitution for the expensive cabinet heretofore manufactured. Moreover, still further economies may be realized when the heater, pump and the accessorial parts therefor are manufactured from a rust resisting material.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim:

l. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a drum nated with said heater to control the level of the vapor generated in the drum and a manually operated switch in the electrical circuit to the heater between the second and third named thermostatic switches to effect the opening of the circuit to one of said switches and the closure of the circuit to the other of said switches.

2. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a drum adapted to contain a solvent in the lower portion thereof, a portable self contained electric heater unit suspended in said drum, said unit embodying a pair of lead wires extended downwardly from the top of the drum, a heating element coupled with said lead wires adjacent thebottom of the drum and within the solvent, a high limit thermostatic switch associated with said heating element, a low limit thermostatic switch associated with said heating element, a third thermostatic switch mounted on said lead wires superjacent the fluid level of the solvent for controlling the vapor level in said drum, said low limit switch adapted to be disconnected from said heater circuit upon the connection of the third named switch with the heater circuit.

3. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a drum for a solvent, a second drum, a conduit uniting the upper portions of said drums, a portable electrical heating unit suspended from the top of the first named drum and terminating adjacent the base thereof, a thermostatic switch coordinated with said heater to maintain the temperature of the solvent at the vaporization point v thereof, a second thermostatic switch coordinated with said heater and arranged thereon to maintain the height of the vapor above said conduit, a pump communicating with the solvent in the first named drum and a conduit coupled with said pump to discharge a liquid solvent into said first named drum substantially in the plane of the first named conduit.

4. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a drum for a solvent, a second drum, a conduit uniting the upper portions of said drums. a pipe uniting the lower portions of said drums, an electrical heating unit submerged in the solvent in the first named drum, a thermostatic switch coordinated with said heater to control the temperature of the solvent at the vaporization point thereof, a second thermostatic switch coordinated with said heater to maintain the vapor level in the first named drum above said conduit,

and a valve in said pipe to control the passage of the vapor condensate from the second named drum to the first named drum.

5. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a drum adapted for the reception of a solvent in the lower portion thereof, a second drum, a conduit uniting the upper portions of said drums, an electrical heating unit submerged in the solvent in the first named drum, a thermostatic switch coordinated with said heater to maintain the temperature of the solvent at the vaporization point thereof, a second thermpstatic switch disconduit, a third thermostatic switch coordinated with said heater for controlling the temperature of the solvent below the vaporizatlon point. thereof, and a manually controlled switch for opening the circuit to the iirst named thermo? static switch and closing the circuit to the second named thermostatic switch.

6. Apparatus for cleaning grease laden work pieces comprising, a drum adapted to be partially iilled with a solvent, means to cascade the solvent over work pieces in the drum comprising, a pump in iiuid communication with said drum, a conduit on the pump connected with the upper portion of said drum above the level of the solvent, an electric heater in said solvent, thermostatic means for maintaining the temperature of the solvent below the vaporization point thereof, a second thermostatic means for maintaining' the temperature of the solvent above the vaporization point thereof, a switch associated with said means to eii'ect the operation o'f only one of said means at a time and a third thermostatic means to maintain the height of the vapor level'in the drum at a predetermined point.

'1. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a pair of similar drums with one of said drums adapted to be partially filled with a solvent, a conduit connecting said drums and disposed above the iiuid level of the solvent, a portable electrical heating unit suspended from the top of the solvent drum and partially submerged in said solvent for generating vapor, a thermal electric switch mounted on said unit, said switch being adapted to maintain the solvent within thermal limits which will confine the height of the generated vapor above said conduit and below the top of the drums,

whereby said vapors will ilow'from the drum within which they are generated to the other of said drums.

8. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a. drum, a second drum for a solvent disposed in juxtaposition with the first named drum, a portable electric heater immersed in the solvent, a pump intermediate said drums, a suction pipe on said pump, a detachable conduit on said suction pipe adapted for communication with the drum having the solvent therein, a delivery pipe on said pump and a detachable conduit on said delivery pipe adapted for communication with either of said drums.

9. A degreasing apparatus comprising, a drum for a solvent, a second drum disposed in juxtaf position with the iirst named drum. avportable electric heater immersed in the solvent, a. pump intermediate said drums, a pipe on said pump communicating with the drum having the solvent therein, a second pipe on said pump and a detachable circuit associated therewith for effecting delivery of the solvent with either of said drums.

10. A degreasingapparatus comprising, a drum for a solvent,A a second drum disposed in juxtaposition with the first named drum, a portable electric heater disposed in the solvent containing drum for vaporizing the solvent, means on said heater for controlling the vapor level in said drum, a pump intermediate said drums, a suction pipe on said pump, a detachable conduit on said suction pipe for removal of the vapor from said drum, a delivery pipe on said pump, a detachable conduit on said delivery pipe, 'a condenser thereon and means on the last named conduit to facilitate the adJustment of the pipe within either of said drums.

JOHN F. BLACK.

lof the above ixumbered patent requiring correction as follows:

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION;

Patent No. '2, 5.189455- May lgi.

.101m F. BLACK.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification line 22, clnim 9, for "circuit" read -conduit; andthat the xouldbe 'read with this correction` therein that' the Patent Office.

orcolvumn, said Letters Patent same may confonnto the record of the case inz'the signed and seemed this 8th any of June., A'." o. 19145.

Henry Vanv Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner offatents.

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